Winter sowing takes help from Mother Nature

A. Winter sowing is an outdoor method of seed germination that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses (made from recycled milk jugs and various other containers) and Mother Nature.

After planting in January-March, these mini-greenhouses are placed outside to wait for winter to end.

Every January and February, I tried sowing seeds indoors on a windowsill for my garden in the spring, like many of you. I have always had mixed results. I have a small home and indoor space is limited. While some plants did well, others were spindly and weak. I have never had results that I was truly happy with.

My mom used to have a plant stand with grow lights that she started seeds in. My father had built it for her. I think she got less than satisfactory results, too, because she eventually used it primarily for her extensive African violet collection.

Last year, I tried winter sowing and was rewarded with the best seedlings I have ever had.

Cut an empty milk jug in half just below the handle. If you like, don't cut the top of the container completely off; instead, leave about 2 inches attached to form a hinge. This keeps the top and bottom attached.

Poke holes in the bottom of the container and put 3-4 inches of soil in; water well and let drain.

Sow seeds and cover with a layer of soil to provide the proper depth of planting as the seed package advises.

Put holes in the top half of the milk carton before placing it back on top. These holes increase air flow within the container, as temperatures heat up.

Place these mini-greenhouses outside in a safe place. I put them on my deck picnic table. Tape the top and bottom together, and don't forget to label each container.

It's important to use a light, fluffy soil that drains well to start your seeds. Pick a commercial brand that is made for starting seeds. It should contain peat moss and perlite. Potting soil tends to be too heavy.

When shopping for seeds to winter-sow, look for some key phrases. These phrases include "needs pre-chilling," "needs stratification," "self-sows" or "sown outside in fall or early spring."

Some seeds that I had great success with last year are Centaurea (Bachelor Buttons), Hollyhocks, Platycodon (Balloon Flower), Redbackia (Black-eyed Susan) and several varieties of spinach.

This year, I plan to winter-sow my tomatoes in April. I have read that they do very well in our Zone 5.

For a more complete list of seeds that work well for winter sowing, go to wintersown.org or call me at our Extension office at 292-6180.

After you have your tiny greenhouses planted and watered, put them outdoors in a sunny location that is protected from pets and wind. They need the rain and snow to thrive. I place them on my deck on the picnic table.

Then just wait, and when days begin to warm with spring's arrival, you will begin to see sprouts. This is when you need to start checking to see if they need watering.

On warm, sunny days you can leave the tops open, but be sure to close them at night when temperatures drop.

Not only is winter sowing a great way to save money gardening and recycle plastic containers, but also the plants will be stronger and healthier than any you could raise on a window sill indoors.

Susan M. Dollard is the Master Gardener program coordinator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County.